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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Hey everyone! It’s Clara Kensie, back with a new Question of the Week! Pretty much the only thing writers love as much as writing is talking about writing. So each week here at Adventures in YA Publishing, I post a question for you to answer. The questions cover all topics important to writers: craft, career, writers’ life, reading and books. Together we’ll become better writers by sharing tips and discussing our habits and practices.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

December 8, 2013

Well, friends, last week was slower than usual for me. For the first time in months, I wasn't on deadline (my deadline for RUN TO YOU Book 2 was last Sunday). I purposely scheduled all of my usual doctor appointments for last week so they wouldn’t interfere with that last mad dash to meet my deadline. And of course, there was shopping for the holidays, and my day job, and prepping for my daughter’s birthday party (a Minute To Win It themed slumber party for sixteen 13-year-olds!). But despite all that, last week was slow for me. Which means I had more time to read than I usually do. I still didn’t read as much as I’d hoped, but that’s always the case with me. That leads me to my question of the week (and it's a toughie):

Which do you like better: reading or writing?

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MY ANSWER: Hmm. I’m honestly sitting here, unable to decide. WHY did I ask such a hard question?!?!? Okay. Writing can be a soul-crushing endeavor, but despite the frustrations and the tears and the crushed soul, writing gives me so much joy. I write a few paragraphs, and bam. *Magic.* I’m lost in the story, and I’m in love with writing. And I must admit that once I began writing in earnest—seriously learning the craft in pursuit of publication—reading stopped being as fun for me. It’s no longer an instant escape. Before I became a writer, I would just pick up a book and read it. Now I analyze it. If I liked it, I analyze why. If I didn’t like it, I analyze why. It takes me a long time after I start reading to lose myself in the story and disappear from the world, whereas before I became a writer, I could disappear after reading just a few paragraphs. But once I am finally able to disappear into that book: Bam. *Magic.* I’m in love with reading again, more than ever before.

So. Which do I like better: reading or writing? I love them both and I can’t image living without either one. But I since I absolutely have to choose... I prefer reading over writing.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Which do you like better: reading or writing? Why? Was this an easy question for you to answer?

I've asked myself this question before, too! My conclusion: I *have* to write, even though it's hard and brain-draining and frustrating (because of the *magic* moments) but reading is easy and pleasurable and so because I'm basically a lazy person I often pick reading over writing some days (although I *don't* get to read or write every day with all the life stuff that gets in the way). The lazy side of me would choose reading if I absolutely had to, but I feel lost and cranky when I don't get to write for awhile. We're cursed, I tell you! :-)

Wow - that's quite a difficult question. I thoroughly enjoy both, but those enjoyments stem from different reasons. If I HAD to choose though, I would say writing. I love delving into the stories of others, but I love delving into the world within myself more. :)

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